Planning

[jupestar]

Kit brought, scaffolding erected.... EveryThing booked. 3kw domestic house. Client decides to ring the planning office who tell him he must submit plans and pictures, they will then reply in 20 days to decide if planning is required..

What a flecking joke... I give up.

 

[francie]

What was reason given by planning department?

 

[francie]

This week has been a complete nightmare for us as well. Have learnt though that panic is worst enemy and there are lots of fellow installers out there to help each other get through this. If you want help/advice, just ask and see what comes back. Don't give up. When I've been there, someone on this site makes me laugh and I pick myself up again. I can't make you laugh but perhaps someone here can help.

 

[solarsparkie]

planning depts are remarkably inconsistant and you have been particularly lapse best result for quick action is to be nice go to one you did one round the corner take a picture of it and go have a chat with them

 

[Ramjam]

Just put it up and move on, ask the client if he wants the system or not, if not then you'll move on, there are plenty of customers trying to beat the 12th December deadline. Planning departments are full of useless plonkers who couldn't get any other job after they left university. Round here everyone is happy to plough on without planning and argue later if needed. Remember retrospective planning costs the same and is just as good.

 

[TedM]

There are only very few circumstances now where planning is needed for solar panels on domestic property. For 95% of houses it will be straight-forward Permitted Development.

Planners always react this way as standard whenever anyone asks them the question.

 

[jupestar]

He: "you said you would take care of everything"
Me: "except for planning which you need to be comfortable with - check you e-mail i sent you a link"
He: "i'm not happy"
Me: "that is fine i don't want to install something you are not happy with - you can have your deposit back"
He: "what will you do with the kit"
Me: "pick it up and install it about a mile away - will work fine, just need two extra panels"
He: "have they got planning"
Me: "almost certainly not"
He: "but they are going ahead"


Stalemate.......

 

[jupestar]

On that note - I don't normally get involved it clearly says on the contract that they sign that they are responsible of planning. I can't do that as well.

But i did phone them, apparently it was an internal memo that went around. Never been outside the planning office and is not on the website. Very ****ing useful.

I asked if the 4000 social houses they are installing all went through this process. I threw the name in, of the company, head honcho, and invester, and said I was going to ask him if he was doing planning for all the council properties. Also said if i found out that the council internally was not following it's own procedures. I would be kicking up an almighty fuss, as it is not fair on private residents. And if it costs be business as a small installer, and it was not consistent, across all installers, i would seek legal advice.

The planning office manager phoned me back... i didn't answer...

 

[sharpener]

If the installation meets the conditions in http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/675/pdfs/uksi_20080675_en.pdf then it is Permitted Development and planning permission is not required